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τοὐναντίον

tounantíon

G5121 adverb

SILEX Entry

Definition

On the contrary, rather. Used as an adverbial expression to introduce a direct opposition or reversal of what has just been stated, especially to correct, contrast, or present an opposing viewpoint or action. In some contexts, it may function to mean 'instead' or 'quite the opposite.'

Semantic Range

on the contrary, contrariwise, instead, rather, quite the opposite

Root / Etymology

Crasis of τὸ (the neuter definite article) and ἐναντίον (neuter of ἐναντίος, meaning 'opposite, before, in the presence of'). Thus, 'the opposite (thing)' or 'contrary (thing).' The combination formed through elision and contraction is characteristic of some Koine Greek adverbial phrases.

Historical & Contextual Notes

τοὐναντίον appears in later Greek, especially Koine and post-classical, as a set phrase to introduce a statement that directly opposes or qualifies the previous one—frequently translated as 'on the contrary' or 'contrariwise.' Its function is discourse-level, signaling contradiction or a turn in argument. In the New Testament, it appears rarely (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Peter 3:9), always marking a shift or reversal of expected behavior or logic. While classical Greek preferred phrases like ἐναντίον τούτου or τά ἐναντία, the contracted τοὐναντίον is typical for the stylistic tendencies of the Hellenistic and Roman periods. English translations such as 'on the contrary,' 'instead,' or 'contrariwise' capture its adversative nuance, but may obscure its grammatical origin as a neuter substantive or adverbial phrase. The word is not a theological term and carries no inherent religious content.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

contraction for the neuter of ὁ and ἐναντίον; on the contrary:--contrariwise.

Root Family

τοὐναντίον (tounantion) — opposite, against, contrary, in front of

Root ἐναντι- opposite, in front of, against

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G5121-01 τοὐναντίον tounantion ADV on the contrary on the contrary on the contrary 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G5121-01 2 Corinthians 2:7 τοὐναντίον tounantion ADV on the contrary on the contrary on the contrary
G5121-01 Galatians 2:7 τοὐναντίον tounantion ADV on the contrary on the contrary on the contrary
G5121-01 1 Peter 3:9 τοὐναντίον tounantion ADV contrariwise on the contrary on the contrary
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